Created By the Service Initiative Committee NYCKI’s Abled Friends Presented by: Created By the Service Initiative Committee

The Overview Facts Services Ideas Fundraising Advocate This is what we are going to what we are covering today. Be sure to emphasis what people are supposed to take away from this and

Facts Types of Disabilities Intellectual Developmental About 1in 10 children around the world have a disability Due To lack of understanding : children tend to not receive the right type attention that they need These children, because of lack of understanding of the disabilities, tend to be excluded. It is our goal, not only to raise funds for great organizations, but to help them know that they have worth and can make a difference in our world. Intellectual- affects the individual's adaptive behaviour as well as learning skills developmental -a lifelong disability can affect the individual both in a physical and intellectual manner

Hands on Service Projects: Create a Team and head out to a walk for an organization benefiting Kids with Disabilities Tutor students at local schools Help at Kamp KIwanis Visiting Kids on IVIG in your local hospital https://www.newyorkcares.org/volunteering-on-special-needs-projects https://www.sensoryfriends.com/recreational-activities.html

Volunteer at an Adaptive Ice Skating Program, ex Volunteer at an Adaptive Ice Skating Program, ex. Gliding Stars (located in Rochester NY and Western NY), Sabah (Western NY) There are a number of different adaptive ice skating programs in NY. They need regular volunteers to skate with the kids on a weekly basis but all need volunteers for their big shows which happen roughly once or twice a year depending on the program. Many Kiwanis Clubs may already help sponsor the show! Talk with your Kiwanis Club and local program to see how you can help them shine on their big show day.

Volunteering Therapeutic Equestrian Programs There are plenty of programs in NY State for those with disabilities to get to ride horses for therapy. You don’t have to know how to ride. You can help just by walking with the riders. Seeing their smiling faces will be enough to keep you coming back!

Volunteer at local community centers and play with kids. Kids with disabilities just want to be kids. Head to a local community center and help kids with intellectual disabilities practice reading. Just listening to them will make their day!

Be a Cheerleader at a Special olympics events Special Olympics are always looking for volunteers to help out on their big day! If you can’t make it consider doing the Polar Plunge for the great cause.

“KEEN's Mission Empower youth with disabilities by providing free, non-competitive one-to-one programs of exercise, fitness and fun, led by volunteer coaches.” (This is for NYC only) Sign up for a quick training session and then you are set to help out with their programs as often as you’d like. Sign up online and take a few hours to help conduct games for kids.

Fundraising Projects Story Night/Variety Show Piggy Bank Change Drive Club Olympics to benefit Special Olympics Story Night/Variety show - Students can come a do open word in support of youth disability it can be personally stories or poetry or done in dance or song Piggy Bank Change Drive- paint piggy banks with your local Aktion Club and then table outside the library asking people to put change in the one they like the most, donate all proceeds to your favorite organization that helps youth w/disabilities. Oh, and don’t forget to give an award to the Aktion Club member with the winning piggy Bank Club Olympics to benefit Special Olympics- work with your Student Union and organize a night of simple games between clubs on campus, have each organization raise money for the special olympics and give them points to start based on the money they raised

Organizations There are a number of organizations that work to empower and support kids with disabilities. They are honestly endless. There is no way to list them all. Whether you choose to work with kids hands on or fundraise for one of the organizations above your efforts can make a huge difference in a child's life.

Aktion Club Aktion Club is the only service organizations for adults with disabilities and we are lucky enough to have them as a branch of our K Family. If you have an aktion club in your area be sure to reach out to them and ask to collaborate with them for service projects.

Advocate R-word -spread the word to end the word Remember, they are kids first. Working with key clubs in supporting programs that assist children with disabilities on their campus. Do you have a Best Buddies Club on Campus? Team up with them for an event! R- word -spread the word to end the word is a stop the use of the re They are kids first. When speaking advocating or fundraising you never want to say “disabled kids” always use the phrase “children or kids with disabilities”. They are not defined by their disability, rather by their abilities. Work with Key Clubs and visit their high schools to work with the students in the special education classes Best Buddies is a club on many campuses that team up students with classmates that may have any sort of disability ranging from intellectual to physical. Work with them to get to know the great students on your campus and make sure to say hello to them when you see them in the halls.

Remember, they deserve to feel as loved and appreciated as every other child.

Thank You! There is no way we could cover all the possibilities of how you can work with us on this new initiative. But we do hope you got some more insight and inspiration to work for this great cause.